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BX 9211 . N7218 S406 7916^
Hollister, William H.
REV. PAUL R. HICKOK
1917
;0Sf CF PS55?s
Second Presbyterian Church
HISTORICAL SKETCH
Prepared and Read at the Reopening
of the Auditorium, October 3, 191 5
BY
/
William H. Hollister, Jr.
Clerk of the Session
Revised and Extended to
April, 191 6
Published by direction of the Session
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e Autnor
LTHOUGH somewhat more than a decade
remains until the rounding out of the century
mark of the organization of the Second Pres-
byterian Church of Troy, it has been deemed
advisable by the session to take advantage of the occasion
of re-entering the auditorium for worship, after an absence
of three months, made necessary by somewhat extensive
repairs, improvements and renovation thereof, by pre-
paring and presenting a historical sketch of the church
covering its nearly ninety years of life and activities.
In its preparation the writer has been very largely
informed as to its early history by the historical discourse
given by a former pastor, Rev. Dr. William Irvin, on the
occasion of the semi-centennial of the church in July, 1876,
remembered by many who are still members of the church
and congregation; and to him I am very largely indebted
for many of the facts of the first fifty years of this church's
history.
Some embarrassment as to historical accuracy still
exists as to many early events by reason of the destruction
of a part of our first church records by the great fire which
swept over the city in 1862, destroying our first house of
worship and the residences and homes of many of the
members. Fortunately the original register of member-
ship has been preserved and we are thus able to state
with accuracy the list of the original fifty members, all of
whom came upon certificate from other churches.
The Roll of Charter Members.
There were forty-five from the First Presbyterian
Church of Troy, three from the Presbyterian Church of
Stillwater, one from the Presbyterian Church of Lansing-
burgh, and one from the Reformed Dutch Church of
Union Village, Washington County, N. Y.
[ 5 ]
SECOND rRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY. N. Y.
These were received into membership on the 25th day
of September, 1827, after the church had been ecclesias-
tically organized by the Presbytery of Troy, and are
as follows:
From the First Presbyterian Church of Troy:
Elias Badaeu, Zenas Gary, Gurdon Gorning, Mrs. Ara-
bella Corning, Hannah G. Gorning, Edward M. Gee, Mrs.
Ann Goe, Mary Ann Goe, Mrs. Susan Drake (Dr. Samuel),
Daniel Delavan, Mrs. Rachel Delavan, Theodosia Delavan,
Mrs. Elizabeth Eldridge (Stephen), Gurdon Grant, Mrs.
Lydia Grant, Mrs. Eunice Greenman (Josiah), Mrs. Mary
Haight (William D.), Luther Hannam, Jr., Deliverance
Knowles, Mrs. Elizabeth Lyman (Micah J.), John D. Mann,
Mrs. Martha P. Mann, Timothy Mann, Abram Na^h, Mrs.
Sarah Nash, Lucy Nash, John Prescott, Mrs. Margaret
Frescott, James Ranken, Mrs. Abigail Ranken, Mrs. Sarah
Sackett (Daniel), Lucy Start, Roxanna Stearns, Edwin
Wilson, Jr., Gatherine Witbeck, Jared Weed, Mrs. Mary
Weed, Alsop Weed, Mrs. Lucy Weed, Mrs. Lorinda Silli-
man (Robert D.), John Thomas, Mrs. Lucy Thomas, Sally
Townsend, James Wallace, Mrs. Matilda Wallace.
From the First Presbyterian Church of Lansingburgh:
Mrs. Lois Ross (Stephen).
From the Presbyterian Church of Stillwater:
Mrs. Nancy Patrick (Jesse), Jane Patrick, Ann
Osborne.
From the Reformed Dutch Church of Union Village:
Mrs. Eliza Stearns (Livy).
Why a Second Church.
About the first of February, 1826, a number of mem-
bers of the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church
were considering the matter of forming another Presby-
terian church in Troy, then a city of about seven thousand
inhabitants. While it has been said and thought by some
that the proposed enterprise was started and nourished by
[ 6 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY. N. Y.
reason of certain theological dissensions and differences
in doctrines and methods among the members of the First
church, yet it is not so well authenticated as to conclude
with any certainty that other reasons were not the primary
ones. Later, in the year of 1826, the great evangelist,
Charles G. Finney, then in the height of his evangelistic
career, responded to an invitation to hold special services
in the First Presbyterian Church, and as a result thereof
a great revival work was accomplished. While the dif-
ferences stated may have existed and, possibly, in some
measure, may have been encouraged or emphasized by
the work of the great revivalist, yet the fact remains that
the movement to organize a Second Presbyterian Church
had been under way for nearly a year before Dr. Finney
came to Troy. It cannot therefore be said that these
conditions were primarily responsible for the organiza-
tion of a new church, but rather, that such organization
was the consequence of a natural and rapid growth toward
the north of a comparatively young and thriving town,
and for the accommodation of many residing in that
locality, and also looking toward an extension of religious
and denominational influence in the community.
The Initial Work.
The initial practical work of the enterprise began
when a committee consisting of Jeremiah Dauchy, William
D. Haight, Robert D. Silliman, Stephen Eldridge, Uriah
Wallace, and Gideon Buckingham, started a subscription
for the purpose of purchasing a site for the erection of a
church building in that locality, and as a result of that
movement the sum of $11,165 was raised for that purpose
by subscription from one hundred and eight persons, in
amounts ranging from five dollars to one thousand dollars
[ 7 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
each. None of these persons apparently were ever in the
membership of this church except Robert D. Silliman,
who, several years after its organization, became a member
upon profession of his faith; but members of the families
of some of them were among those who brought their
letters from the First church and became charter members
of the Second church.
For some time those who had in mind the new church
organization had been holding services on the Sabbath
in a school house near the corner of Fourth and Elbow
(now Fulton) Streets, the exact spot not being clearly
identified, but probably it was on Fourth Street above
Fulton.
The Civil Organization.
On the 25th day of May, 1826, a meeting was held
in this school house of the male members of what was
then designated as the Second Presbyterian Congregation
of the City of Troy, and action was taken on the subject
of forming a corporate organization as indicated by the
following certificate, made under the provisions of the
statutes of the State of New York.
CERTIFICATE.
This may certify to all whom it may concern, that at a
meeting of the male members of full age belonging to the Second
Presbyterian Congregation of the City of Troy, in the County of
Rensselaer and State of New York, assembled at the usual place
of divine worship in the school house near the corner of Fourth
and Elbow Streets in the Fourth Ward of said City on the 25tli
day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and twenty-six, agreeable to public notice given at three stated
meetings of the society previous to the meeting for the choice of
trustees, and fifteen days before and previous to this day, we
John Thomas and Alsop Weed, were nominated by the majority
of the members present to preside at the election of trustees for
[ 8 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
the aforesaid congregation, agreeable to an act of the Legislature
to provide for the incorporation of religious societies passed
April 5, 1813 ; and in conformity to the Third Section of the said
act, Jeremiah Dauchy, Stephen Eldridge, William D. Haight,
Robert D. Silliman, Uriah Wallace, and Gideon Buckingham,
were duly elected trustees for the management of the temporali-
ties of the said Congregation, and that they and their successors
in office are to be forever hereafter known by the name of the
"Second Presbyterian Congregation of the City of Troy."
Given under our hands and seals this 25th day of May, in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-six,
(Signed) John Thomas.
A. Weed.
Sealed and Delivered in Presence of
E. Bell and
R. Delavan.
The above certificate w^as acknowledged on the 30th
day of May, 1826, before David Buell, Jr., First Judge of
Rensselaer Common Pleas, and recorded on the same day
in the office of the Clerk of Rensselaer County.
The Ecclesiastical Organization.
The ecclesiastical organization of the church did not
occur until more than one year afterward. At a meeting
of the Presbytery of Troy at Salem on the 29th of August,
1827, a communication was received from some of the
members of the new congregation requesting its organ-
ization as a church, and a committee was then appointed
for that purpose. At a special meeting of the Presbytery
of Troy on October 30th, following, the church was
received by the Presbytery and placed on its roll as the
Second Presbyterian Church of Troy, at the request of
its three commissioners, Joseph Russell, Daniel Sackett,
and Alfred Mosher. Gurdon Corning, one of the first
elders, represented the new church in the Presbytery.
[ 9 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
After the filing of the papers for incorporation under
the statute in 1826, and before the reception of the church
by the Presbytery in 1827, much and important work had
been done.
The Building and Laying the Corner Stone.
On the 22nd of May, 1826, in consideration of the
sum of $550, conveyance was made by Stephen Warren
to the trustees of the corporation of two lots (873-874)
on the east side of Sixth Street and south of Grand Divi-
sion (now Grand) Street, aggregating in size one hundred
feet front and extending eastward to the alley, one hun-
dred thirty feet. This is the same ground now partially
covered by what is known as Church Place on the south-
east corner of Grand Street and the railroad. Within
two months from that date, and on July 12th, the corner
stone of the new church building was laid. The Boards
of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church and of the
new Second Church met on that day at the house of
Gideon Buckingham on Fourth Street, next south of
the present site of the Security Trust Company, and, with
the ministers invited to take part in the service, proceeded
to the site of the new church, corner of Sixth and Grand
Division Streets, and in the presence of a very large gath-
ering of people the corner stone was laid with appropriate
ceremonies. The cast iron box deposited in the corner
stone was made by Starbuck & Gurley, Iron Founders
of Troy, and contained a copper plate on which was in-
scribed as follows : "The corner stone of the Second Pres-
byterian Church, laid July 12, 1826," also the names of
the six trustees as above, and that of Nehemiah Brown,
the mason, and John Ayres, the carpenter. The box also
contained a copy of each of the several newspapers pub-
[ 10 ]
SECOND PRESr. YTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
lished in Troy, and the different denominations of Ameri-
can silver and copper coins.
The interest shown in the new church enterprise by
the First church was indicated by the presence and hearty
co-operation of its officers and trustees, as well as by the
fact that the address on this occasion was delivered by
its pastor, the Rev. Nathan S. S. Benian. Thereafter the
building proceeded rapidly, and in one of the city news-
papers of the following December (1826) was described
as follows: "The Second Presbyterian Society (one lately
formed and worshipping with the First) have erected
this season an elegant brick church at the corner of Grand
Division and Sixth Streets. It will be entirely finished
early next spring. It is eighty by fifty feet; has a Session
Room, and rooms for other purposes in the basement story
and discovers much taste and skill in its construction."
The pulpit was elaborately constructed of Honduras
mahogany with a curved flight of balustraded steps on
either side and was one of the costly appointments of the
building. A fine toned bell cast by Julius Hanks was hung
in the steeple. There were twelve hundred sittings in
the building, five hundred of which were in the gallery.
The building was completed in the early spring of 1827.
Old System of Pew Ownership.
It was largely the custom of churches in those days
to sell and convey by formal deed of conveyance, under
seal, a pew or slip in the church to an individual, in form
as elaborate as that pertaining to the transfer of real estate.
These conveyances, however, were made subject to the
payment of an annual rental therefor, amounting usually
to about ten per cent, of the sum paid for such pew or
slip. The title ran to the grantee, his heirs, executors,
[ 11 ]
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SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
administrators and assigns. This church adopted that
custom in its beginning. The aggregate sum to be thus
raised by rentals at that time was fixed at $1,562 and the
amount of rentals could only be increased by a two-thirds
vote of all the pew owners on the ground floor of said
meeting house, and then to a sum not to exceed $2,000.
In case of an increase in pew rentals, the same were to
be apportioned among the pews in the same ratio as the
original rentals. Among the conditions imposed upon
the pew holders, as set forth in their deed of conveyance,
was that in case it should happen that the yearly rent
should be behind and unpaid for the space of thirty days
beyond the time limit of payment, it should be lawful
for the congregation (called the first party in the deed)
"to re-enter and take possession and enjoy such pew or
slip and expel, put out and amove therefrom such delinquent
pew holders and all other persons"; and the title to said
pew would then cease, become void and of none effect,
and would revert to the corporation. This plan, however,
was discontinued after the destruction of that building
by fire in 1862.
One of the earliest of these conveyances is before the
writer, dated January 19, 1829, and conveys title of the
pew or slip to Micah J. Lyman and to his two sons, Charles
and George Lyman, for the sum of $190, with $19 as an
annual rental.
The Call and Pastorate of Mark Tucker.
On March 10, 1827, and before the selling of the
pews, the congregation, although not yet ecclesiastically
organized by the Presbytery as a church, extended a
hearty call to the Rev. Mark Tucker, then of Northampton,
Mass., and formerly of the Presbyterian Church of Still-
[ 12 ]
"o^- |g,4
Pastors of Church since organization, i 827-1 91 6.
SECOND PRESBYTKRIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y,
water, N. Y., to become its pastor, which call was subse-
quently accepted. During the month of August, 1827,
the ceremonies attending the dedication of the new edifice
were held, and the sermon on that occasion was deliv-
ered by Rev. Edward Dorr Griffin, D.D., then the dis-
tinguished President of Williams College, and popularly
known as a "prince of preachers."
Rev. Mr. Tucker was duly installed pastor of the
church by the Presbytery of Troy on the 31st day of
October, the day following the placing of the church on
the roll of Presbytery. At the installation of the new
pastor. Rev. John Younglove of Brunswick, presided.
Rev. John Kennedy preached the sermon. Rev. R. K.
Rodgers of Sandy Hill gave the charge to the pastor, and
the Rev. Solomon Lyman the charge to the people.
The church had made a fortunate selection in its first
pastor. Dr. Tucker's preaching appealed to the emotions
of his hearers, and his pastoral services were wise, affec-
tionate, and acceptable. For nearly ten years he labored
with great efficiency for the prosperity of the church.
Large accessions were the reward of his labors.
In the year 1831, one hundred fifty-six persons were
received into membership on profession of their faith as
the result of a great revival. In 1834 there were four
hundred thirty communicants on the roll, after a consid-
erable number (about seventy) had been dismissed to the
newly organized Second Street Presbyterian Church.
During eight of the years of Dr. Tucker's ministry,
omitting two years of which no report is preserved, two
hundred ninety-eight persons were received on profession,
and two hundred eighteen by letter.
On May 2, 1837, Dr. Tucker's pastorate terminated
by his resignation, and he became pastor of a Congrega-
[ 13 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
tional church in Providence, R. I. Twenty-seven years
later he was invited to take part in, and was present at,
the dedication of this building wherein we now worship
and offered prayer on that occasion. He died March 19,
1875, and as a mark of respect to the loving memory of
their former pastor, a committee of the Session of this
church attended the services of his burial at Weathers-
field, Conn.
Erastus Hopkins and Charles Wadsworth.
Rev. Erastus Hopkins was called to follow Dr. Tucker,
and was installed September 13, 1837. He was a man
of genial manners and scholarly attainments, and an ex-
cellent writer and speaker. By reason of ill health he was
compelled to give up his pastoral labors, and in 1841
resigned this charge much to the regret of his people, and
sought rest and change in Northampton, Mass., the place
of his early residence. During his pastorate the church
registration reached four hundred forty one, which was
the highest up to that time. During the latter part of
Mr. Hopkins' pastorate he was prevented from preaching
by reason of ill health, and for several months before, as
well as following his resignation, the pulpit was supplied
by Mr. Charles Wadsworth, a young man who had been
licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Troy, but who
had not yet been ordained. Mr. Wadsworth's services
were so acceptable that he was unanimously and enthusi-
astically called to the pastorate and was ordained and
installed in February following (1842). The Rev. Dr.
Eliphalet Nott, then the president of Union College,
preached the installation sermon. Mr. Wadsworth soon
developed great powers as a preacher and established a
reputation far beyond local limits as a man of rare rhetori-
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SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
cal gifts and brilliancy of speech. His power was in the pul-
pit rather than in pastoral and social service, and in this his
peculiar gifts were remarkably effective. After eight years
of service he also, like his predecessor, was compelled by
ill health to give up his charge, which he did in March,
1850, to the great sorrow of his people. Under his min-
istry the church grew from three hundred sixty to four
hundred ninety-one members, the additions in one year
being nearly one hundred on profession. Dr. Wadsworth
afterwards spent many years as a pastor in Philadelphia
and San Francisco, taking a foremost place among the
preachers of those cities, and in the church at large.
Thomas P. Field, Fourth Pastor.
The fourth pastor was Rev. Thomas P. Field, who,
like two of his predecessors, came from Massachusetts,
and was installed on November 14, 1850. He was a man
of fine tastes, great scholarship and culture, and an
attractive speaker. His pastorate of three and one-half
years was successful, and with great reluctance his resig-
nation was accepted on February 16, 1854, that he might
accept a call to a professorship in Amherst College. Sub-
sequently Dr. Field returned to the pastoral work and
become pastor of the leading Congregational Church in
New London, Conn.
Elam Smalley, Fifth Pastor.
On June 21, 1855, Rev. Elam Smalley was installed
the fifth pastor of this church. I well remember the ten-
derness with which our late beloved brother. Elder Field,
always spoke of Dr. Smalley, of his rare sweetness of
disposition, his unusual spirituality, his deep piety and
devotion to duty, which together with his pulpit power
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SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
completely won his people, and made him very successful
in his ministry. Sadly enough, in the fourth year of his
pastorate, ill health overtook him, and his work was ter-
minated by his death on July 30, 1858, scarcely more than
four years after his installation, beloved and lamented by
all who knew him. Dr. Smalley's resting place is in our
beautiful Oakwood, where a monument, erected by this
church, marks the place of his burial. It may be worthy
of mention here that the son of Dr. Smalley was George
W. Smalley, who attained a world-wide reputation as
journalist and newspaper correspondent, and whose de-
cease has but recently occurred after a brilliant record of
a full half century.
Joseph T. Duryea, Sixth Pastor.
Following Dr. Smalley came Joseph T. Duryea, a
young man fresh from Princeton College and Seminary, not
yet ordained, who was called, and on the 19th day of May,
1859, was ordained and installed as the sixth pastor of
this church. He came with honors already earned and
with a reputation as a writer and speaker of extraordinary
promise. He was zealous, ambitious and inspiring, and
had the power of imparting his zeal and spirit to his people,
and especially the younger portion, and quickly they re-
sponded to his leadership with great enthusiasm and affec-
tion. The congregation and Sabbath School grew and
prospered under the stimulating guidance of the young
pastor. Because of his rare and extraordinary gifts, and
his remarkable success in his first charge, other and larger
communities sought him for wider, and perhaps more
important, fields of labor. Within three years he was
called to the City of New York as pastor of one of the
[ 10 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
large Collegiate Reformed Dutch Churches, and was dis-
missed by this Presbytery in March, 1862.
The Great Fire of 1862.
Scarcely three months after the departure of Mr.
Duryea, and on May 10, 1862, came the greatest trial to
the church and the city that has probably occurred in the
history of either. In a few hours, beginning about noon
of that day, "the great fire," as it always since has been
known, swept over and devastated the city, at a loss of
nearly or quite three million dollars of property. Among
the seven hundred buildings destroyed on that afternoon
was the house of worship of this church. Early after the
beginning of the fire, starting at the old railroad bridge,
a wooden structure, a burning brand blown by a strong
wind lodged in the steeple, and before one o'clock the
whole structure was wrapped in flames. A present mem- '
ber of this congregation, then a young man, who came up
at the time, in his zeal to save something, rushed up the
steps and gathered some cushions on his shoulder and
bore them away in safety, together with an armful of
hymn books, some of which as relics he has yet in his
possession. Practically everything was lost in the total
destruction of the church and session house adjoining.
The hardest blow, however, was upon those of the
congregation who lost practically all their possessions,
and nearly or quite one hundred families in the congre-
gation who had begun the day in comfort came to the
night with their homes and places of business in ruins,
and many with all their property destroyed. Surely the
outlook to many was dark, but their spirit and resolution
were put to the test and they prevailed over the misfor-
tune thus suddenly thrust upon them, and met the emer-
[ 17 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
gency with undaunted courage. The fire occurred on a
Saturday. One week from the following Sabbath, ser-
vices were held in Harmony Hall, conducted by Rev.
Alfred H. Kellogg of New York, who had come to Troy
on the day of the fire to supply the pulpit on the following
day, but then found neither church building in which to
preach, nor congregation to serve. For some time after-
wards regular Sabbath morning services were held in
Harmony Hall, which was occupied jointly with the con-
gregation of the Fifth Street Baptist Church, which church
had also suffered loss of its house of worship. Several of
the other churches of the same and other denominations.
Baptist, Methodist, and Episcopal, promptly and gener-
ously placed at the disposal of the suffering churches their
various places of worship for other services, which kindly
offers were to some extent accepted from time to time.
Within nine days after the fire and on May 19th the
congregation met and appointed a committee consisting
of Jared S. Weed, Ransom B. Moore, Ezra W. Boughton
and Horace T. Caswell, to procure a new site for building.
Already one of their number, with a business promptness
and energy, born of a consecrated enthusiasm, and on his
own responsibility, had secured control of lots for that
purpose, and within twenty days after the fire ; and on
May 30th, the first deed was executed of one of the lots,
followed during the month of June by deeds of the remain-
ing lots composing the one hundred and fifty feet frontage
on the west side of Fifth Avenue, between Fulton and
Grand Streets, on which this building and the session
house now stand, at a cost of $13,250. The people then
said, "Let us arise and build." "So they strengthened
their hands for this good work," and the building of the
present chapel was immediately begun and pushed forward
[ 18 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
as rapidly as possible. It was finished before Christmas
of that year and was well filled with a large and enthusi-
astic congregation.
Pastorate of Daniel S. Gregory and Building and
Dedication of New House of Worship.
In the meantime the church had called the Rev. Daniel
S. Gregory, a graduate of Princeton College and Seminary,
like his immediate predecessor, and he was installed on
November 5, 1862, before the completion of the chapel.
The enthusiasm of the people over the success of the new
chapel, and their interest in their new pastor, together
with a rapidly increasing congregation, soon demanded
something more than the limited space and accommoda-
tions of a chapel for worship, and they repeated the old
slogan, "Let us arise and build," and they did it. The
new pastor had scarcely become well started in his work,
before the determination was made to begin subscriptions
for a new church building, and the plan was so rapidly
advanced that an early commencement of the work was
warranted and actually begun. About one year and a half
after the completion of the chapel, and on July 14, 1864,
the corner stone of this building was laid by the pastor,
Mr. Gregory, in the presence of a large gathering of
people. On March 30th following, the building, entirely
completed, was dedicated to the worship of God, the
sermon on that occasion being preached by Rev. Wm. H.
Green, of Princeton Seminary, and an address delivered
by the pastor. It was on this occasion that the Rev. Dr.
Tucker, the first pastor, returned and participated in the
services, offering the dedication prayer.
By invitation of the Session, on the second Sabbath
of April following the dedication, the pastors, sessions,
[ 19 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
and members of the other Presbyterian churches of Troy,
united in a communion service with this church in its new-
house of worship, as an expression of fraternal joy and
satisfaction over the successful completion of the enter-
prise.
The new church building was then, and for many
years continued to be, the largest auditorium in the city,
having a seating capacity of thirteen hundred and fifty,
including a gallery around three sides which would ac-
commodate about four hundred. The organ was placed
in the northwest corner, and the pulpit was a large plat-
form in a recess at the west end, where the present organ
now stands. At that time it was thought and said to be
a beautiful auditorium, but to those who have been privi-
leged to compare it with its present changed architecture
and decoration, the terms of description must be consid-
erably modified. By reason of its great size, it came to be
sought for on many occasions when preparations were
to be made for large and popular gatherings. Thus pa-
triotic meetings at the close of the Civil War were held
here, and in the early nineties when Dwight L, Moody
held his evangelistic campaign in Troy services were all
held in this church, although its capacity had been then
somewhat reduced by alterations in 1880. The original
cost of the church and chapel together with the site was
about $71,000, and the money was raised in a compara-
tively short time, except the sum of $10,000, which was
carried for a few years and finally paid in 1871.
As a consequence and natural result of all this activity
and self sacrifice, let me quote the actual and impressive
words of Dr. Irvin, the successor of Mr. Gregory, in
the church.
"Such Christian zeal and perseverance and self sacri-
[ 20 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
fice did not fail, as they never do fail, to receive speedily
divine recognition and reward. The spiritual conditions of
the church, throughout its trying experience, had been sat-
isfactory and promising. The Gospel had been faithfully
and powerfully preached ; family visitation had been sys-
tematically pursued, and additions to the membership had
been constant, if not specially numerous. But in the early
months of 1866, God opened the windows of heaven and
poured out upon the church an unusual blessing. Continu-
ous evening services were held and largely attended through
March, April and May. A deep and solemn spirit pervaded
the people. Christians were moved to great activity and
earnest prayer; and on the first Sabbath of June (1866),
one hundred and ten persons were received into the
church's fellowship on confession of their faith. God's
people had laid their carnal things liberally upon his altar;
and now by his grace, they reaped spiritual things a
hundred fold."
The present records show that of the number added
as above, there are six persons yet upon the roll of the
church, some of whom are present at this service to-day.
In the following December, 1866, Mr. Gregory re-
signed his pastorate, after four years of faithful service,
to accept a call to a Congregational Church in New Haven.
Dr. Gregory afterward became a successful educator, a
Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy in Wooster
University, Ohio, acquiring a great reputation as a scholar,
preacher, commentator, and author, and a great defender
and advocate of the conservative view of the scriptures
and statement of Christian doctrine. Dr. Gregory lived to
a good old age, and died at the age of eighty-three on
April 13th during the present year (1915).
[ 21 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
Pastorate of William Irvin.
The eighth pastor was Rev. WiUiam Irvin, who was
called from the Presbyterian Church of Rondout, N. Y.,
and began his labors on the last Sabbath of May, 1867,
and was installed on the 11th of July following. He was
a graduate of Rutgers College and Princeton Seminary,
and for a time was instructor in that college, soon after
his graduation. He had but one pastorate before he came
to this church. The beginning of his pastorate here is
remembered by comparatively few persons in the church
as there are only fourteen names now remaining on the
church roll of those who were members at that time, after
the lapse of over forty-eight years.
There are two events of especial prominence occur-
ring under Dr. Irvin's pastorate, to wit, the formation of
the Young People's Christian Union, and the organization
of the Ninth Presbyterian Church of Troy. In each of
these he had a leading and guiding hand.
Organization of Young People's Christian Union.
The Young People's Christian Union was organized
in 1867 for the purpose of enlisting the activities of the
young people in Christian work and for increased efficiency.
The pastor suggested to the society its motto which has
stood now for nearly a half century: "More united and
earnest effort in the cause of Christ." It has been a train-
ing school for many a young man and woman in the devel-
opment of Christian life and activity. Its energies were ex-
ercised and developed in various ways, both within and
without the borders of the church. It has, ever since its
organization, maintained a meeting on Sabbath evenings
before the regular service, and encouraged the idea of every
individual taking a personal part in the service. For many
[ 22 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCPI OF TROY, N. Y.
years it took a leading part with other church organiza-
tions of a hke character in maintaining, during the summer,
open air services at places beyond the church buildings,
such as the steamboat wharf and on Mount Olympus in
the northern part of the city. It made a careful and
systematic distribution of tracts and religious papers
among the boatmen on the canal opposite our city, and
in the saloons and other places. It held religious services
at the county almshouse and at the jail, and distributed
wholesome reading matter there, and also distributed
personal comforts to those in need. Of late years these
activities, or some of them at least, seem to have been
somewhat halted or restricted. This may be by reason of
changed conditions in the community or from some other
cause. It is to be devoutly hoped that such conditions
may arise as will permit the society to fully and com-
pletely resume its former Christian activities, and be-
come the educative and spiritual power to our young
people as of old.
This society was among the very first of such organi-
zations in the country, and ante-dates the Christian En-
deavor movement, organized for a similar purpose, by
about fifteen years. It is pleasant to record that one of
its organizers and its first president is our beloved brother
in the eldership, Harvey S. McLeod, now one of the two
senior members of the session.
There is one who was associated with its organiza-
tion and history, who became its second president, and
whose name will forever be so intimately and conspicu-
ously linked with the spirituality and Christian activities
of this church, that I would do violence to the history of
this church and be false to my own feelings as a true chron-
icler, were I not here to pause and mention him in this con-
[ 23 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
nection — Henry W. Sherrill. It will be no injustice to
others — ministers or laymen — to say that he probably
touched more lives during the ten years of his membership
and activity in this church, by the sweetness of his disposi-
tion, the gentleness of his spirit, his loving counsel, his
marvelous unselfishness, his noble Christian character, his
complete consecration and his indefatigable efforts to lead
young men to Christ, than any other one of his day in this
whole community. Just forty years ago, September 28,
1875, at the early age of twenty-eight, he was taken from his
earthly labors, but his name and memory are still fragrant
and blessed to many who had the rare privilege of being
associated with him in service. He still lives in the hearts
of many, both within and beyond the bounds of this church,
who received their first impulse toward the Christian life
through his personal influence. "Yea, saith the spirit,
that they may rest from their labors; and their works do
follow them."
Ninth Presb5^erian Church.
The other conspicuous event in Dr. Irvin's ministry
here was the development and organization of the Ninth
Presbyterian Church which was very largely due to his
wise and persistent efforts in that behalf. Many years
before, and as early as 1846, a Sabbath School was organ-
ized near Mount Olympus and supervised by members of
this church. After a term of suspension it w^as reorganized
in 1856 under the auspices of the former Young Men's
Christian Association, and under the superintendency of
Mr, Frederick P. Allen, afterwards an honored Elder in
this church. Following a second suspension it was finally
placed under the care of this church in 1866. It grew so
rapidly as to demand greater accommodations in a field
that gave great promise, and in 1868 an effort was begun
[ 24 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
to provide a chapel for that purpose. Over $13,000 were
subscribed in a brief period, mostly by members of this
church, and four lots were purchased on the corner of
North Second (now Fifth Avenue) and Jay Streets, and by
December, 1868, a brick chapel accommodating four hun-
dred was finished and occupied by the Sabbath School.
Regular service also was held on Sabbath afternoons
conducted by the pastor, Dr. Irvin, and others until May,
1868, when this church invited Rev. Ninian B. Remick,
just graduated from Union Theological Seminary to take
charge of the enterprise. The church was organized by
the Presbytery of Troy on September 30, 1869, under the
name of the Ninth Presbyterian Church of Troy, with
eighty-one members, very largely drawn from this church,
and who were residing in the neighborhood of the new
church. Mr. Remick was installed as pastor of that church
October 28, 1869. Through his wise and efficient leader-
ship the church had a wonderful growth, became one of
the strong churches of the city and Presbytery, and grew
to a membership of over six hundred.
Of all the home missionary enterprises in this city
there is none that can be pointed to with greater pride
and satisfaction by any church than that of this church in
the initiation and development of the Ninth Presbyterian
Church of Troy. To William Irvin, then pastor, aided
by the noble men then in the official boards of this church,
is due the credit of this splendid monument of Christian
enterprise and devotion.
In 1875 Dr. Irvin took an active part in a special re-
vival effort among the various churches of the city under
the supervision of the Rev. A. B. Earle, evangelist, which
resulted in a general spiritual awakening throughout the
city. As a result, this church profited very largely from
[ 25 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
that work. In the report to Presbytery in the spring of
1876, there were reported as received into its communion
during the preceding year, one hundred and three mem-
bers, two-thirds of whom were received on profession of
their faith.
Dr. Irvin labored here most acceptably and effectively
for almost twenty years, his being the longest pastorate
of this church, and until March, 1887, when he resigned
to accept a call to become one of the Secretaries of the
Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church,
U. S. A. In this office he labored for about five years and
never thereafter took up a settled pastorate. On many
occasions Dr. Irvin returned to take part in some function
of the church and to supply the pulpit, and was always
received by his former people with the deepest regard and
affectionate demonstration. For many years after his
retirement from the secretaryship of the Home Board,
Dr. Irvin resided abroad, mostly in France and Germany,
and passed away in Berlin on the 22nd day of February,
1909, in his seventy-sixth year.
Hector Hall, Ninth Pastor.
In July, 1887, Rev. Hector Hall, of Glasgow, Scot-
land, preached for three Sabbaths as a vacation supply
in this pulpit. Even in midsummer large congregations
attended the services. At the conclusion of his engage-
ment the people expressed their desire to have him called
to the pastorate, and at a congregational meeting called
for that purpose later in the month, a call was heartily
extended to him. After Mr. Hall's return to Glasgow he
accepted the call and was installed on the 17th of Novem-
ber, 1887. The new pastor brought with him a ripe expe-
rience, rare scholarship, extraordinary biblical knowledge,
[ 20 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
a Strong personality and a zeal for service which made his
pastorate of nearly fifteen years one of success, helpful-
ness and spiritual uplift. Dr. Hall soon took a leading
position in the Presbytery and became an authority on
subjects of Bible interpretation and exposition. His style
of preaching was largely expository, but often in the de-
velopment of his subject and in making his application
he would become in his enthusiasm a veritable Boanerges.
In his pastoral work he was particularly effective, kind,
sympathetic and affectionate. During his term the usual
and steady additions were made to the membership. Un-
der his advice and counsel a large number of names were
stricken from the roll or suspended by reason of removal
without formal dismission and other causes, being the
accumulation of many years.
During the Spanish-American War in 1898, Dr. Hall
was appointed Chaplain of the Second Regiment of In-
fantry going from this locality, and faithfully served in
the southern camps for several months, during which
period he was given a leave of absence from his pastoral
duties, which he resumed at the close of the war.
On the 14th day of March, 1902, Dr. Hall read to the
Session his purpose of closing his formal ministry in this
church in which he says, "I have for some considerable
time past been contemplating the propriety of withdraw-
ing from the more active and stated duties of the Christian
Ministry and of yielding place to a younger and abler man.
I am in my thirty-fifth year of ordained pastoral work and
feel the need of a period of retirement and rest. There-
fore, with your consent at its approaching meeting, I will
place my resignation in the hands of the Presbytery.
I only desire you to believe that the memory of you all
personally and your uniform kindness to me and mine
[ 27 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
will abide with me while life endures, as one of the dearest
treasures of my heart."
In the minute adopted by the congregational meeting
called to act on Dr. Hall's resignation there occurred the
following passages:
"During the entire period of his pastorate, Dr. Hall
has labored patiently and unceasingly for the welfare of
this church.
"By his unfailing kindness and Christian courtesy, he
has endeared himself to its members. His ministry has
been one of unvarying service, with heart and life conse-
crated to his chosen calling. His kind and loving minis-
trations will always be a blessed memory to this people.
His extraordinary knowledge of the Scriptures and his
clear, forceful and straightforward presentation of Bible
truth have always been an incentive to us to further study
and research in the Scriptures, and have been an inspiration
to attain to a higher plane of Christian living."
The resignation of Dr. Hall was accepted by the
Presbytery of Troy, April 22, 1902, to take effect the last
Sabbath of April.
Renovation and Improvement of Church Building.
The subject of the observance of the Seventy-fifth
Anniversary of the church at some time during the year
1901, was presented at a meeting of the Session held Feb-
ruary 4, 1901, and it was referred to a committee to con-
sider and report later. Subsequently the committee re-
ported that a question had arisen whether such an anni-
versary should be held with the church building so seri-
ously out of repair, nothing having been done to the in-
terior for over twenty years. The matter was finally
referred to a joint committee of Session and Trustees. At
[ 28 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
such meeting it was expressed that a renovation of the
church building would be of greater benefit to the church
than the observance of an anniversary, if both could not
be had. They thereafter appointed a committee consisting
of Robert Cluett, Harvey S. McLeod, Frank Van Dusen,
Edwin A. Frear and William H. HolHster, Jr., taken from
the Session and Trustees, and authorized such committee
to have prepared by a competent architect a set of plans
for repairs, alterations and improvements, such as the com-
mittee should deem advisable, and submit the same to a
subsequent meeting. The committee procured Mr. Fred
M. Cummings, an architect, who prepared elaborate in-
terior plans with estimate of cost. After inspection the
joint boards determined to submit the whole matter of
plans and cost to the congregation at a morning service
during the month of April. Thereupon on the day ap-
pointed, the plans were presented and explained, occupy-
ing the whole morning service, and the same were ap-
proved and the work authorized with hearty unanimity.
The same committee was continued and empowered
to raise the funds and proceed with the work. The com-
mittee procured subscriptions for over $20,000 and in
July the work of repairs and alterations was begun. For
nearly eleven months during the repairs the congregation
held all services in the chapel. The auditorium was com-
pleted and opened for services on the third Sabbath of
May, 1902. The entire interior of the church had been
changed both as to architecture and decorations. The
extensive galleries were removed, only a balcony remain-
ing at the eastern end, the organ was rebuilt, entirely new
glass in windows, several class rooms made, and specially
designed new pews placed. A new and costly brown stone
and elaborately carved porch was added as a special gift
[ 29 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
of Elder Robert Cluett, as a memorial to his father and
mother. The entire outlay, including cost of construction
of the porch and refurnishing, exceeded $40,000.
Although the pastorate of Dr. Hall had terminated
with the last Sabbath of April he was requested to con-
tinue his services to include the opening of the recon-
structed auditorium, which he did, the house being en-
tirely filled on that occasion.
Although thirteen years have passed since the resig-
nation of Dr. Hall, it has been, and is, a source of great
satisfaction to the people and to the succeeding pastors,
to have him yet with us, after the lapse of the fourscore
years allotment, modestly and faithfully rendering such
service as he may be able to render from time to time,
helping, cheering, and comforting many of this flock in
the spirit of the Master, and beloved by both pastor and
people. We are truly honored this day in having him
present to participate in this reopening service.
Pastorate of C. Waldo Cherry.
After the resignation of Dr. Hall, the church was
without a pastor until March, 1903, when an unanimous
call was extended to Rev. C. Waldo Cherry, of Parnassus,
Pa., who accepted the same and was installed on the 9th
day of May, 1903, the sermon on that occasion being
preached by Rev. A. C. Sewall, D.D., of the Second Street
Presbyterian Church of Troy, the charge to the people by
Rev. William M. Johnson, D.D., of the Silliman Memorial
Church of Cohoes, and the charge to the pastor by Rev.
George Dugan, of the Ninth Church of Troy. Mr. Cherry
was a graduate of Princeton College and of the Western
Theological Seminary. He came in all the strength, vigor
and enthusiasm of his young manhood, being about thirty
[ 30 ]
SECOND PRESRYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
years of age, and at once took a strong hold on the church
and community by his pulpit work and general leadership.
He was popular with the young people and soon secured
a firm grip on them and enlisted them in the service of
the church. He was instrumental in organizing the
Brotherhood of the Church in 1906, which as a social
factor soon became a vigorous association, with a mem-
bership of over one hundred men, and for the last few
years has been active in many things, especially material
changes and improvements of the church.
The electric lighting of the chapel and the changes in
the interior glass, the laying of a concrete sidewalk in the
front of the church, the installation of an ear phone,
whereby those of defective hearing in the congregation
may hear and more fully participate in the service, and
invalids or "shut-ins" may enjoy such service by tele-
phone connection between the pulpit and their homes, are
among the improvements accredited to the Brotherhood.
Among the objects of the Brotherhood as stated in
the constitution, are, "to aid the pastor and Session, to
give a definite work to every man in the church; to enlist
their activity in Christian life and increase their devotion
in the church, and to work among men who are not
Christians, to the end that they may attend church ser-
vices and eventually become professing Christians." It
can and will surely become also a further and increasing
spiritual power if it shall carry out the program of its
purposes.
Mr. Cherry soon grew into the foremost rank as a
preacher, and had an extraordinary power and style of
expression, and presented the truth in an eloquent, yet
simple, manner. After receiving and declining several
calls elsewhere, and after eleven years of faithful and
[ 31 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
successful service in this church, Mr. Cherry received an
unanimous call to the Central Presbyterian Church of
Rochester, one of the largest in our denomination, and his
resignation being accepted with much regret, he v^as dis-
missed by the Presbytery of Troy on the 21st day of April,
1914, to take up the work in his new field.
Call of William L. Sawtelle.
At the congregational meeting held on the 27th day
of February, 1914, when the resignation of Mr. Cherry
was acted on, a committee composed of elders, trustees,
deacons and unofificial members of the congregation, was
appointed to take steps to procure and nominate a new
pastor, with this suggestion, that "when the person unani-
mously agreed upon by the committee should be presented,
such person would be deemed worthy of favorable con-
sideration by the congregation, in the absence of any facts
to the contrary." The committee was composed as
follows: Robert Cluett, Burton K. Woodward, John T.
Birge and William H. Hollister, Jr., from the Session;
William B. Frear and Thomas R. Lawson, from the
Trustees; James A. Beattie and Edwin A. Grimes, from
the Deacons, and Oscar A. Freemyer and Robert B.
Reeves, from the congregation. The committee was just
six weeks, after the departure of Mr. Cherry, in finding
such a man; and at a meeting of the congregation duly
called for that purpose on the 2nd day of July, 1914, the
name of Rev. William L. Sawtelle, of Elmira, N. Y., a
graduate of Williams College (1894) and of Auburn Sem-
inary (1897), was unanimously presented by the commit-
tee as one possessing, in their judgment, all the require-
ments and qualifications for the pastorate, and thereupon
by a standing vote of the one hundred seventy-five mem-
[ 33 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
bers present, the judgment of the committee was ratified,
and Mr. Sawtelle was extended an unanimous call to be-
come the pastor. In due time the call was accepted and
Mr. Sawtelle was installed on the 13th day of October,
1914, as the eleventh pastor of this church, and is now
making history for himself and for the church, through
the power of the Spirit of God, and the sympathy and
support of a satisfied, loving and loyal people. At his in-
stallation the sermon was preached by Rev. George A.
Armstrong of Silliman Memorial Church, Cohoes; the
charge to the pastor by Rev. Charles H. Walker, First
Church, Lansingburgh ; the charge to the people by Rev.
C Waldo Cherry, retiring pastor, and the installation
prayer by Rev. Alvin C. Sawtelle, of Binghamton, N. Y.,
brother of the pastor.
Sons of the Church Who Have Gone into the Ministry.
This church has a record of fifteen young men from
its membership who have been ordained to the Christian
ministry, as follows: Norman Kellogg, Merwin H.
Stewart, Henry Augustus Boardman, John Jay Dana,
Paul Eugene Stevenson, William R. Durnett, John K.
Davis, Henry Willard, John M. Allis, Valentine A. Lewis,
John Henry Lockwood, James Henry Ross, Thomas
Blatchford Boughton, Dwight Edwards Marvin and
Joseph Hillman Hollister.
It may be of historical interest to consider briefly
the record of some of the sons of the church concerning
whom facts have been obtainable and to whose Christian
accomplishments this church may point with a great
degree of satisfaction.
Of some of the earlier names there seems to be no
record whatever preserved other than the meagre mem-
[ 33 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
oranda on our church register, and concerning whom
further information seems impossible to be obtained.
Rev. Norman Kellogg was at one time settled at
Mishawaka, 111.
Rev. John Jay Dana is recorded to have settled at
Canaan, N. Y., in 1847, and at some time in Adams, Mass.
Rev. Paul Eugene Stevenson was installed at one
time over a Presbyterian Church at Staunton, Va.
Rev. Henry Willard for many years was a pastor in
Illinois.
Perhaps the most noted of the church's children was
the Rev. Henry Augustus Boardman, D.D. He was born
in Troy, January 8, 1808; graduated at Yale College in
1829 as valedictorian of his class; entered Princeton Sem-
inary in 1830; ordained by the Third Presbytery of Phila-
delphia, and installed as pastor of the Tenth Presbyterian
Church of Philadelphia in 1833, which church he served
until 1876 as his first and only pastorate, for a period of
forty-three years. Thereafter he held the relation of
pastor emeritus until his decease in 1880, in his seventy-
third year. In 1854 Dr. Boardman was chosen moderator
of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (Old
School). He was a director of Princeton Seminary from
1835 until his decease in 1880. He was prominent in all
the church's assemblies, wise in his counsels, of large
literary attainments, and the author of a number of
volumes on themes of public interest. While Dr. Board-
man was of the conservative school in theology, he always
commanded the respect and admiration of his opponents
by his fair and courteous treatment both of them and the
subjects of controversy.
The foreign field has been most faithfully served by
the Rev. John Mather Allis, D.D., who was born in Dan-
[ 34 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y,
ville, Province of Quebec, Canada, in 1839, and became
a member of this church in 1859. He was educated at
Princeton College, graduated in 1866, and finished his
theological course at Union Seminary, New York City,
in 1869. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Albany
in 1870. His first pastorate was in Lansing, Mich., from
1871 to 1875, and from 1875 to 1883 served as stated
supply in several churches in California, Ohio and Indiana.
In 1883 he was appointed by the Foreign Missionary Board
of the Presbyterian Church to take charge of a normal
training department for native teachers which was pro-
posed to be established in Valparaiso, Chile, but the plan
was not consummated and thereupon he took charge of
the theological training of native ministers under the
care of the Presbyterian Mission at Santiago, and became
the president of this mission. In the prosecution of his
work he travelled the whole length of the Republic of
Chile preaching the gospel with great fervor and effective-
ness. He died at Valparaiso after sixteen years of faithful
labors, in 1899, at the age of fifty-nine years.
Rev. Valentine A. Lewis was born in London, Eng-
land, and was received into this church in 1860. He be-
came a student at Princeton College and was graduated
there in 1863. In connection with his college course he
studied theology with the Rev. Joseph T. Duryea, then
the pastor of this church, and was ordained by the Presby-
tery of Troy in January, 1864. During his student course
at Princeton he went from Troy with the Second Regiment
U. S. Volunteers, as Chaplain, in the War of the Rebellion,
and in 1861 he was stationed at Fortress Monroe, but this
service continued for only a few months as the govern-
ment determined not to allow an unordained person to be
a chaplain in the Army. From 1864 to 1888 he served in
[ 35 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
the following pastorates: Port Chester, N. Y. ; Cleve-
land, Ohio; Hillside, Mich.; Port Byron, N. Y. ; Phelps,
N. Y. ; Napa, Cal., and Boston, Mass. He died at Dans-
ville, N. Y., in 1899.
Rev. John Henry Lockwood was born in Troy and
became a member of this church in 1866 upon certificate
from the Second Street Presbyterian Church of Troy.
He entered Williams College and was there graduated
in the class of 1868. His theological course was taken at
Princeton Seminary, graduating in 1871. During his
Seminary course he became a member of the Fifth Avenue
Presbyterian Church, New York City, and was licensed
to preach by the Presbytery of New York in the spring of
1870, and during that year he spent some time in Minne-
sota under the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions,
and organized a Presbyterian Church at Wells, Minn.
He was ordained by the classis of Cayuga in 1871 and
installed over the Reformed Church of Canastota in No-
vember of that year. In May, 1873, he became the pastor
of the New England Congregational Church of Brooklyn,
in 1879 was installed over the First Congregational Church
of Westfield, Mass., and continued there in the active pas-
torate until 1896, when he retired and became pastor
emeritus. After his retirement from the active pastorate
he removed to Springfield, Mass., where he now resides
(1916).
Rev. Dwight Edwards Marvin, D.D., was born in
Greenwich, Washington County, N. Y., February 22, 1851.
He became a member of this church upon certificate from
the Reformed Dutch Church of Nyack, N. Y., in June,
1871. From that time and for several years he was en-
gaged in active business life in the City of Troy and de-
voted much of his time and energy to the activities and
[ 36 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
interests of this church, especially in connection with the
Young People's Christian Union. These activities are
remembered by many of his associates of that day with
great pleasure and in some measure doubtless contributed
to his further successful labors in the ministry. He took
his theological course at Auburn Theological Seminary
and graduated in 1880, thereafter pursuing a post-grad-
uate course at Union Theological Seminary of New York.
In 1881 he was ordained by a Congregational Council and
became the pastor of the First Congregational Church at
East Albany (now Rensselaer) where he continued in his
pastorate until 1884. Subsequently he became pastor of
the following churches, to wit : Plymouth Congregational
Church, Utica, N. Y., from 1884 to 1888; First Congrega-
tional Church, Germantown, Philadelphia, from 1888 to
1900; First Congregational Church, Asbury Park, N. J.,
from 1900 to 1902; Flatbush Presbyterian Church, Brook-
lyn, N. Y., from 1902 to 1910.
In 1911 after his retirement from the active pastorate
he took up his residence at Summit, N. J., where he still
resides (1916). Dr. Marvin devoted much time to literary
work and has become the author of several volumes which
have been published and very largely circulated on the
following topics: Winning Souls; The Christ Man; The
Church and Her Prophets; How to Excel; Common Sense
Parents, and Curiosities in Proverbs.
Rev. James Henry Ross was born in Troy August
21, 1851, and was received into the membership of this
church in 1866 upon examination. His preparatory course
was taken at the Troy High School and he entered Prince-
ton College in 1870, graduating there in the class of 1874.
He made an excellent reputation while in college as a
writer and speaker, taking the highest honors given for
[ 37 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
these accomplishments. His theological course was be-
gun in Union Seminary, New York City, and completed
at Princeton Seminary, where he graduated in 1877. He
was ordained by an Ecclesiastical Congregational Coun-
cil at Newburyport, Mass., February 22, 1878, and at the
same time was installed as pastor of the Fourth (after-
wards Prospect Street) Congregational Church of New-
buryport, which he served until 1882. He was pastor of
the Congregation^al Church at South Norwalk, Conn.,
from 1884 to 1888, and of the Franklin Street Congrega-
tional Church of East Somerville, Mass., from 1888 to
1893. Thereafter he had no settled pastorate. After 1894
Mr. Ross devoted himself largely to journalism and pub-
lished a number of sermons and essays. In 1894 he pub-
lished the Life of Robert Ross, Martyr, and in 1901,
Hymns and Singers of the Young Men's Christian Asso-
ciation. He was greatly interested in hymnology and pub-
lished many articles upon that subject in the religious
press. He edited the proceedings of the American Mis-
sionary Association during the last fifteen years of his life.
For some time before his decease his health had been very
seriously impaired and he died at Clifton Springs, N. Y.,
December 7, 1907, in his fifty-seventh year and was buried
at Newburyport, the place of his first pastorate.
The church has been very successfully represented in
the Home Mission Field of the West by the Rev. Thomas
Blatchford Boughton, a son of a beloved Elder of this
church, Ezra W. Boughton. He was born in Troy Sep-
tember 4, 1859, and was received into membership of this
church at the age of twelve years, in the year 1871. He
received his preparatory education in the Troy Public
Schools ; entered Lafayette College and was graduated
with the class of 1881. He taught one year in the Troy
[ 38 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
High School after graduation, and thereafter in 1882 en-
tered Union Theological Seminary at New York, and com-
pleted his course at that institution. Immediately there-
after he took up home missionary work in Parker, South
Dakota, under the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions
where he remained for fourteen years. He organized and
served as pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Parker,
which soon became self-sustaining, and organized also,
and supplied during much of that period, two other
churches within a radius of nine miles. By reason of im-
paired health he retired from pastoral work in 1899. In
1907 he became librarian and student adviser in Huron
College, South Dakota, where he died April 23, 1909,
while in the active work of the college. His whole life
was therefore devoted to Christian activities in the Home
Mission field of South Dakota, and he is remembered with
the greatest affection by many in the church who knew
him both as a youth, and as actively engaged in the
Christian ministry.
The latest of the fifteen young men of this church to
enter the ministry, and the only one now in the active pas-
torate, is Rev. Joseph Hillman HoUister, also a son of an
elder, who was born in Troy, March 22, 1882, and united
with this church at the age of twelve years. He was pre-
pared for college at the Troy academy ; entered Williams
College in 1900, and was graduated with the class of 1904.
In the fall of the same year he entered Union Theological
Seminary at New York and completed his course in 1907.
At graduation he was called to the First Presbyterian
Church of Valatie, Columbia County, N. Y., and was there
ordained and installed into the pastorate of that church by
the Presbytery of Columbia in July, 1907. He remained in
that pastorate for four years. In March, 1911, he was
[ 39 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N
called to the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon,
Westchester County, N. Y., and was installed in June
following. He is now (1916) pastor of that church.
The Elders.
Conspicuous for faithfulness and devotion to the church
as is the record of its eleven pastors, it can be said with
justice and truthfulness, that the record of its eldership
has not fallen behind in those qualities.
There have been forty-nine Elders chosen since its
organization. They were elected and have served as
follows :
In
1827 — Gurdon Corning Served until
1842 — Dismissed
James Wallace
«
«
«
1842 — Died in service
Alsop Weed
1864 — Died in service
Gurdon Grant
"
"
1837 — Dismissed
In
1830 — Stephen W. Dana
Abram Nash
Hezekiah Thayer
Abram Van Tuyl
George Vail
((
«
1846 — Died in service
1834 — Dismissed
1843 — Dismissed
1838 — Dismissed
1834 — Dismissed
In
1839 — Joseph H. Shepard
i(
«
1842 — Dismissed
Thomas W. Blatchford . .
<(
"
1842 — Dismissed
Charles H. Kellogg
"
«
1847 — Dismissed
Ebenezer Bell
K
«
1866 — Died in service
Robert D. Silliman
«
<(
1866 — Died in service
Tn
1843^ — Gurdon Grant
1S61 — Died in service
(Returned and re-elected)
Daniel Sackett
((
"
1845 — Died in service
John F. Rogers
"
"
1851 — Dismissed
Harvey Church
«
«
1877 — Died in service
Ezra W. Boughton
«
"
1892 — Died in service
In
1849 — William Wheeler
"
"
1851 — Dismissed
Zenophen Haywood ....
<(
«
1855 — Dismissed
Homer Merriam
«
"
185s — Dismissed
Elisha Talmadge
«
"
1858 — Died in service
Tn
1857 — Peter McDoual
«
«
l(
i860 — Died in service
Hiram D. Pierce
1866 — Died in service
John Harrison
<f
«
1901 — Died in service
Edward N. Dauchy
1868 — Dismissed
In
1862 — Eleazer A. Peck
«
"
1887 — Died in service
T. Newton Willson
"
«
1889 — Died in service
Frederick P. Allen
it
"
191 1 — Died in service
Franklin Field
«
«
1904 — Died in service
In
1884 — Harvey S. McLeod
William H. Hollister, Jr.
— Still serving
— Still serving
[ 40 ]
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Photographs of all who have served as Elden
from its organization
The Second Presbyterian Church of Troy,
827 to April, 19 1 7.
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
Andrew Sawyer Served un* i! 1891 — Dismissed
In 1888— William V. Baker " " 191 1— Died in service
John C. House " " 1897— Died in service
James H. Potts " " 1891— Released from
the Eldership at
own request.
Robert Cluett —Still serving
In 1891— Edwin A. Frear " " 1905— Released from
active service
and afterwards
dismissed.
Charles D. Campbell .... " " 1895 — Dismissed
Edward H. Boughton . . . — Still serving
In 1903 — Charles D. Campbell — Still serving
(Returned and re-elected)
John T. Birge — Still serving
Charles S. Dean — Still serving
William Hagen — Still serving
Burton K. Woodward . . . — Still serving
Lewis W. Raymond — Still serving
In 1907 — Edwin Veghte " " 1909 — Dismissed
Martin H. Walrath — Still serving
George B. Ehrmann — Still serving
William H. Breese, Jr. . . — Still serving
Of the forty-nine Elders who have been thus chosen,
twelve now remain in active service. Those who have
passed to their reward have been men of great consecration
to the work of the church, and are deserving of all honor
as faithful and efficient servants of the church they dearly
loved. They were men of sterling character and deep
devotion to the interests of the Kingdom of God. While
it may not be possible here to record at length their biog-
raphies, yet they are all well worthy of such mention and
some of them are well remembered by many of our pres-
ent membership, notwithstanding the fact that they be-
gan their official life in the church's early history and
nearly three-quarters of a century ago.
Harvey Church and Ezra W. Boughton were chosen
to the eldership in 1843, only sixteen years after the
church's beginning, and yet their faces are familiarly re-
membered by many present to-day. The former united
[ 41 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
with the church three years after its organization, and for
about twenty years was the Clerk of the Session. It is said
of him that he knew much of the personal history of nearly
every one whose name had been enrolled in the member-
ship. He had a warm sympathy with, and a great interest
in, young people. The writer well remembers that even in
Elder Church's advanced years, he was rarely absent from
any meeting of the Young People's Christian Union,
usually leading in the service of song with his high and
clear tenor voice.
Ezra W. Boughton became as a youth a member of
the Sabbath School at its organization, and continued
such as either scholar, teacher or superintendent for about
sixty years, and until physical infirmities prohibited his
activities, thus extending his Sabbath School experiences
over the first nine pastorates of the church — a record
unique in its history. Elder Boughton's term of service con-
tinued until within a few months of a half century; during
that time it has been said of him that the work of the
church became and continued to be the one enthusiasm
of his life. His kindly sympathy, his cordial greeting and
the great generosity of his nature will ever remain in the
memory of those who had the privilege of association
with him.
Following in close recollection is Elder John Har-
rison, who was elected in 1857, and who served for nearly
forty-four years, and until the time of his decease. Big
in body and great in soul, his noble nature responded to
every call of duty and personal sympathy, and nothing
was too much or too difficult for him to undertake when
the call came.
In 1862 another class of elders was chosen. These
were all men strong in purpose and character who served
the church with both zeal and efficiency.
[ 42 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y
Elder Eleazer A. Peck, who may be termed and re-
membered as the "beloved John" of the Session, served
for twenty-five years; Prof. T. Newton Wilson, scholar
and teacher, served for twenty-seven years; Franklin
Field, friend, companion, and wise adviser to all who
sought his counsels, served for forty-two years, twenty-
two years of which were as the Clerk of the Session, and
Frederick P. Allen, brilliant in thought and faithful in
service, continued to within three months of the half-
century mark, the longest term in the church's history.
These were strong men in their day and made a deep
impression on those who came in contact with them as
the ofificials of the church, as men of great character.
Christian devotion and efficiency in the work of the
Kingdom.
Many of us remember also with great esteem and
personal affection those who were subsequently chosen
to the Eldership and who after shorter terms have en-
tered into rest, leaving a precious memory of consecrated
lives in the service of the church which will long endure.
Of these are Elders Andrew Sawyer, John C. House,
William V. Baker and Edwin A. Frear.
For the last sixty years the Session has had but
three who have served as clerk of that body. Elders
Church, Field and the present clerk.
A collection of photographs of all the Elders from
the beginning in 1827, with the exception of four whose
portraits had never been taken, has been made by the
clerk and the same was framed and presented to the
church at Easter, 1913, and now hangs in the Chapel.
These were gathered from all sources, many retaken from
daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, ivory-types and paintings.
[ 43 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
The Deacons.
Until 1907, this church had chosen but nine deacons
from the time of its organization, and there were never
more than two serving at one time.
While it had been often advised and advocated be-
fore, during Dr. Hall's ministry, that a larger board of
deacons should be chosen, yet it was delayed in accom-
plishment until 1907, during the pastorate of Mr. Cherry.
At that time the number of the board of deacons was
enlarged to thirteen. Such action has proven beneficial
to the church in stimulating the activities of some in
Christian service who heretofore had not had this oppor-
tunity so well presented.
The following are the persons who have been chosen
to and have held that office at some time since the church's
organization :
In 1827 — Abram Nash and John Thomas.
In 1839— Warren L. Adams.
In 1849 — William W. Wight and Ethan Armstrong.
In 1857 — Thomas Goldsmith.
In 1884 — Allen R. Williams and Hiram W. Gordinier.
In 1891— Nelson M. Hayner.
In 1907 — J. Erwin Anthony, Thomas L. Blackburn,
Herbert C. Betts, Arthur C. Dickinson,
James H. Fairweather, Leo C. Grathwol,
Henry McWhinnie, Burtis A. Raeder,
George Sinclair and W. Fisk Stevens.
In 1909 — Edwin L. Grimes and Alexander Meekin.
In 1910 — George A. Ross.
In 1911 — James A. Beattie and William Colvin, Jr.
In 1915 — John McBride, Oscar A. Freemyer, Freder-
ick M. McCoubrey and Judson W. J. Rogers.
[ 44 ]
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SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
The Sabbath School.
The Sabbath School was organized in March, 1828,
the year following the organization of the church by the
Presbytery of Troy. A Sabbath School had been main-
tained for some time by the First church of Troy in this
locality, and this school was then taken over, assumed,
and maintained by this church under the management
of a committee of three of the original elders, Gurdon
Corning, James Wallace and Alsop Weed. Subsequently
Mr. Wallace was made superintendent. The names of
the superintendents with the dates of their election (ex-
cept that of Mr. Wallace which is not definitely known
because of the destruction of the records by fire) are
as follows:
James Wallace — Date of election not known; prob-
ably in 1828 or 1829.
Stephen W. Dana— 1833.
Charles H. Kellogg— 1844
Homer Merriam — 1847.
Elisha Talmadge— 1849.
Ezra W. Boughton— 1858.
Frederick P. Allen— 1867
Wm. H. Hollister, Jr.— 1878.
Robert Cluett— 1883.
William V. Baker— 1893.
Robert Cluett— 1896.
William Hagen— 1905.
The superintendent or assistant has always been a
member of the session.
The Missionary Societies.
This church has always been imbued with a true
missionary spirit, and especially among its women.
[ 45 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
The Woman's Church Missionary Society was organ-
ized in 1870, for the purpose of maintaining a local mis-
sionary to visit and minister to the sick and destitute of
the community. For about thirty years Miss Joanna T. F.
Willett has faithfully served as the church missionary
under this society.
In January, 1872, the Woman's Foreign Missionary
Society was organized, and through its activities the
church's interest in the foreign work has been materially
increased. The interests of this society have been largely
in Siam and Persia. For a time it supported a missionary
in Siam, and has contributed to work in Persia, and other
special fields as suggested by the Foreign Board.
The Woman's Home Missionary Society was organ-
ized in 1880, and has contributed to work among the
Mormons, mountaineers and freedmen, as well as to many
other general home mission objects.
In 1902 the two Missionary Societies were consoli-
dated into one society under the name of the Woman's
Missionary Society, as a single organization divided into
home and foreign branches.
In 1913, this church united in the general plan of the
Foreign Board of securing one hundred and sixty new
men that year to go into the Foreign Field. Through
the powerful presentation to our congregation of the
needs and the plan by Rev. Frank W. Bible, one of the
Missionaries of the Board in China, personal subscrip-
tions amounting to $1,000 a year for a term of three years
were made by members of the congregation for the pur-
pose of maintaining a missionary of its own. As a result
of this movement, the Rev. Alonzo Alden Pratt was sent
to China, as our pastor in the foreign field, and is now
laboring in Ko-Chow, China. At the congregational meet-
[ 46 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
ing in March, 1916, the plan of individual subscriptions
for this special purpose was discontinued and the full
amount of one thousand dollars was placed in the general
benevolence budget for that special purpose.
Mr. Pratt is a son of Rev. James R. Pratt, once an
elder in the Ninth Church, and afterwards ordained to
the ministry.
In 1829 the Ladies' Industrial Society was organized
for work within the bounds of the church and continued
under that name until 1907, when it was reorganized under
the name of the Woman's Church Society, for the purpose
of strengthening and increasing the work of the church
in its religious, social and material features. It has been
active in various departments of church work, and has
proved itself of great value in enlisting the service of prac-
tically all the women of the church.
Twentieth Century Birthday Service.
An event of unusual interest occurred on the night
of December 31, 1900, when the whole congregation met
in a service of thanksgiving and prayer in the church two
hours before midnight, and continued the same until after
the hour when the nineteenth century had passed and the
twentieth century had begun. For some time the pastor
and session had it in mind to hold such a service, and a
special effort to secure attendance was made by the use
of printed invitations, sent to every individual and family,
and also by affording conveyances to the church on that
occasion for the aged and infirm, who otherwise would be
denied the privilege. The service was termed a "Birthday
Service of the Twentieth Century," and the invitations
signed by the pastor and session read partly as follows:
"We therefore cordially invite every member and
[ 47 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
family of this church and congregation to a service of
thanksgiving and prayer in the church on the night of
December 31, 1900, at ten o'clock. The service will con-
tinue until after midnight, when the new century will
begin, and will be under the leadership in turn of the
Session, the Sabbath School, and the Young People's
Christian Union. A roll book for the signatures of every
person in attendance will be provided and kept as a me-
morial of this historical occasion."
As a matter of fact over four hundred people attended
the service, and the signatures of three hundred and forty-
seven of those were obtained and are now preserved as a
part of the records and archives of the church. As the
bell tolled out the hour of midnight, and marked the pass-
ing of the old century, the whole congregation was bowed
in prayer, led by the pastor. Dr. Hall, and the services
closed ten minutes later.
The following is a brief account of the service as it
substantially appeared in the Troy Record on the follow-
ing morning, January 1, 1901 :
NOTABLE SERVICE IN CONNECTION WITH THE
WELCOME OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.
"Make a joyful noise all ye Lands" was read by
WilHam H. Hollister, Jr., at the opening of the services
in the Second Presbyterian Church last evening, and oyer
four hundred voices responded "Serve the Lord with
Gladness, Come before His Presence with Song," and
thus alternating they read the 100th and the 134th Psalms,
after which Elder John Harrison, father of the session,
in a voice that at times trembled with emotion, thanked
God for past blessings, and invoked future guidance on
church and people.
The Pastor, Rev. Dr. Hector Hall, and the entire
Session were present as follows: Elders John Harrison,
[ 48 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
Franklin Field, Frederick P. Allen, William V. Baker,
Robert duett, Edward H. Boughton, Harvey S. McLeod,
Edwin A. Frear and William H. Hollister, Jr.
Mrs. Hector Hall sang "We Are Going to His Palace,
Going to a Better Land." Elder Hollister in continuing
the service said that the meeting at this particular time
might be founded on sentiment, but it was a sentiment
that made men better and stronger for service as the
centuries of Christianity follow each other in succession.
The pastor, Dr. Hall, read a telegram from the former
pastor. Dr. William Irvin, containing hearty congratula-
tions to pastor and people, and best wishes for the new
year and the new century. Several letters of greeting
were read, among them one from Andrew Sawyer, of
Hartford, Conn., a former member of the session.
Dr. Hall said that the watch night service was insti-
tuted by the Scotch Presbyterians when they gave up
celebrating Christmas.
Fred C. Comstock sang "O How Precious Are the
Lessons That I Learn at Jesus' Side."
Elder Robert Cluett, then taking charge of the meet-
ing at this point in behalf of the Sunday School, called
attention to the fact that Miss Cerynthia M. Sheldon, who
was a member of the Sabbath School when it was organ-
ized in 1828, seventy-two years before, was present. Mr.
Cluett read the names of past superintendents and said
that the Sabbath School had always manifested a spirit of
devotion to the study of God's word.
He then called upon Elder Frederick P. Allen, the
oldest ex-superintendent in point of service, who told of
his connection with the school when sessions were held in
the old Sixth Street Church, and of Elder Ezra W. Bough-
ton, of blessed memory, who had extended to him the
Mosaic invitation "Come with Us and We Will Do Thee
Good." Elder Hollister spoke in terms of deepest grati-
tude of the influence of Elder Field, and of the departed
Elders Peck and Boughton, together with that of Mrs.
Peck and Miss Clarissa Weed, as teachers in the Sabbath
School.
[ 49 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
Elder Baker followed, speaking of the beginning and
progress of the Young Men's Christian Association of
Troy and the Young People's Christian Union of this
church and kindred organizations during the last century.
Mr. James A. Beattie, president of the Young People's
Christian Union, called attention to the fact that the
Young People's Christian Union had existed for one-third
of a century, and then introduced Elder Harvey S. Mc-
Leod, its first president, who told of its organization in
1867, being one of the first, if not the first, of its kind.
Dr. Irvin had given its motto "More united and earnest
effort in the cause of Christ." The object has been to stir
the young to higher aims and nobler ambitions.
Miss Ten Eyck then sang "Sweet Hour of Prayer."
Dr. Hall at the close of the prayer which was offered
during the passing of the old and the beginning of the
new century, extended the greeting of the pastor and
session to those assembled, and wished them a happy new
century ; and after all had united in singing
"God of our fathers, whose Almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band,"
the pastor pronounced the benediction, which was fol-
lowed by a general New Year and New Century greeting
and the signing of the midnight roll.
Day of Prayer and Conference.
In February, 1905, the session set apart the following
March 10th to be observed by the church as "a day of
special prayer and conference" with reference to the spir-
itual condition and activities of the church. This enlisted
so much interest that it has been followed every year
since with the addition of special evening services during
the week on which the day of conference falls, and with
which it closes. It has frequently been appointed to im-
mediately precede the March communion service, and thus
the special day of prayer has often been concluded with
[ 50 ]
SECOND P K E S C Y T K R I A N CHURCH OF TROY, N . Y .
the preparatory lecture. A printed program of topics of
special spiritual interest has been usually prepared and
brief addresses made by the pastor, members of the
session, and occasionally by other members of the church,
the program covering three services, morning, afternoon
and evening. This custom, now^ observed for more than
ten years, has been considered to be of great help in the
development of the spiritual life and character of members
of the church.
The Communion as a Separate Service.
It has been the custom of this church from time im-
memorial to hold a special and separate service in the
afternoon for the celebration of the Lord's supper. While
this is an unusual custom in churches, it has been thought
to have been observed here from the beginning of the
organization, or at least so long that the "memory of man
runneth not to the contrary," and has been found to be
of special interest and solemnity in its observance in that
manner.
The New Year's Morning Meeting.
It has been also the custom of the church to hold a
New^ Year's prayer meeting in the chapel on the morning
of New Year's Day, which custom has been observed fully
sixty years, if not more. It may be noted that the late
Elder F. P. Allen had attended every such meeting, as
he frequently stated, from the time of his coming to Troy
in 1855, and this statement was repeated on the last New
Year's service preceding his death in 1911. The meeting
is led by the pastor and serves as a happy occasion of
New Year greetings among the members, and a proper
season to renew our consecration in Christian life and
service.
[ 51 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
Membership Since Organization.
The number of persons admitted to membership
since the organization of the church to April 1, 1916, is
3,813, of whom 1,926 were received on profession of their
faith, and 1,887 on certificate from other churches, being
an annual average of about 42. The nominal membership
in April, 1916, is six hundred and ninety, but a careful
pruning of the register would probably show scarcely more
than five hundred and fifty in active connection with the
church. This has come to pass largely by the removal of
members from time to time, and their failure to take letters
of dismission to the churches of their changed locality, or
give any information as to their residence. This is a
practice both to be deplored and discouraged, as it tends
to give a fictitious value to the records of the church.
Memorial Gifts.
In addition to the memorial porch heretofore referred
to there are but two memorials in the buildings. Prior
to 1907, Mrs. Anna Swartwout Phelps of New York, had
expressed a desire to erect a memorial in the church in
memory of her father and mother, Henry and Maria K.
Swartwout, who had been members of the church since
1842 up to the time of their decease in 1892 and 1898
respectively. In 1907 the desire materialized in the build-
ing and presentation of a new organ, in conjunction with
her brother, William M. Swartwout, then a member, at a
cost of over $20,000. The organ was built by the
Hutchings-Votey Co., of Boston, contains an echo organ
and chimes, and is reputed to be one of the finest in tone,
power, variety of expression, and excellence of construc-
tion, of any such instrument outside the metropolitan
[ 52 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
centers. The bronze tablet on the walls of the auditorium
expresses the gift as follows:
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF HER PARENTS
HENRY SWARTWOUT
AND
MARIA KETELHUYN SWARTWOUT
THE ORGAN OF THIS CHURCH
WAS ERECTED BY THE GIFT OF
ANNA SWARTWOUT PHELPS
1907
In 1914, Elder Harvey S. McLeod presented to the
church a second memorial, and placed in the western end
of the chapel, a beautiful window in loving memory of his
wife, Mary Field McLeod, who became a member of this
church in 1866, and died April 26, 1891. The window is
not only beautiful in appearance but adds much to the
comfort and utility of the chapel by greatly increasing its
light.
Gifts for Benevolent Fund.
From time to time the church has received various
gifts from legacies, and otherwise, the income of which
is to be used for distribution among the poor, for Sunday
School purposes, for clothing destitute children, furnish-
ing books for the Sabbath School and for missionary pur-
poses. These gifts have amounted to over $20,000 and
are invested by the trustees, and the income is annually
distributed by them through the proper channels.
Those who have contributed to this fund deserve the
gratitude of this people for their kindly gifts. The follow-
[ 53 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
ing are the names of the donors with the objects of their
benefactions :
Clarence Willard, James H. Kellogg, J. Marshall
Van Valkenburgh, Eliza Doolittle and Thomas Goldsmith,
for the deacons' fund, used for the needy of the church ;
Mrs. Lena E. Boughton and Katherine J. Boughton, for
the work of the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary-
Societies ; Mrs. Jane N. Green, for books for the Sabbath
School ; Jeremiah S. Hakes, for widows and orphans ;
Mary O. Hall, Charlotte E. King and Ida L. Dusenberry,
for the work of a church missionary, and William J.
Howes, for clothing and Christmas presents for the
children of the infant or primary department of the Sab-
bath School.
Amounts Expended for Congregational and Benevolent
Purposes.
Since 1876, there has been expended for congrega-
tional purposes, including repairs, reconstruction, improve-
ments and decoration of the church and chapel, upwards
of $420,000.
The amount of the benevolences of the church during
the same period reported from time to time in the session
reports to the Presbytery, has amounted to about
$150,000. Of this sum $68,000 have been given to Home
Missions, $43,000 for Foreign Missions, and the balance
of $39,000 distributed through the other Boards of the
church and for special objects.
Systematic Envelope Giving.
For more than fifty years the church has had some
form of systematic giving through the envelope system,
for its current expenses. This supplemented the pew rents
[ 54 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TRQV, N. Y .
for church support. About 1912, an every-member canvass
plan was introduced, and an enlarged committee was
formed by the Church Finance Committee with instruc-
tions to visit every member of the church and congre-
gation, and solicit a pledge both for church support and
for benevolences, the latter to be dispensed through the
Church Boards in the ratios determined by the Session
or as designated by the individual donors. This church
was among the first to adopt the recommendation of the
General Assembly, and the plan has been successful, yield-
ing a larger return than formerly, both to church support
and to general benevolences. By the visitation of the
whole congregation through a large committee, espe-
cially set apart at the morning service by the pastor in
prayer (which was done at the canvasses of 1915 and
1916) it became also a means of grace to the people as
well as to the committee. It is possible that it may de-
velop into the system of raising the entire church budget
for current expenses, and thus discontinuing the system
of pew renting as now practiced.
This church has now nearly completed its ninetieth
year as a civil, and its eighty-ninth as an ecclesiastical,
organization.
This sketch must necessarily be an imperfect and ab-
breviated record of its life and activities, but it has been
sought to make it as accurate, as far as it goes, as under
the circumstances of its preparation it could be made. In-
formation has been sought from a large number of sources,
and the writer is greatly indebted to those who have so
heartily responded to his requests for historical informa-
tion beyond his own personal knowledge.
To-day we re-enter our renovated and redecorated
house of worship after an expenditure of over $8,000, due
[ 55 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
very largely to the again repeated generosity of one of our
members. This work has been done under the efficient
management of a joint Committee of Trustees and Elders,
of which the President of the Board of Trustees, Mr.
Joseph McKay, is the chairman, to whom and to his asso-
ciates by their patient and unremitting efforts for over
three months, we are very largely indebted for these
results.
By our presence here to-day, we pledge anew our
loyalty and devotion to this church with such a noble
record, and to the Great Head of the Church from whom
comes all our inspiration for Christian service.
^ >i< ^
I 56 J
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y,
ADDENDA.
[Note. — Since the foregoing sketch was prepared it has been
deemed advisable to cover some further data with reference to the
church not included therein, but all of which may properly be stated
as falling within the first nine decades of the ecclesiastical life of
the church.]
Resignation of Mr. Sawtelle.
In June, 1916, Rev. William L. Sawtelle received an
unanimous call from the First Presbyterian Church of
Scranton, Pa., and in July announced to the congregation
his acceptance of the same. On September 17, 1916, his
resignation v^as received by the Presbytery of Troy, and
the pastoral relations were dissolved with this church, to
take effect on that date. Mr. Sawtelle's pastorate was
the briefest of any in the record of the church — somewhat
less than two years.
Mr. Sawtelle was a man of exceedingly strong per-
sonality, of an almost infectious geniality, of great kind-
ness and sympathy of disposition and a preacher of un-
usual mental and spiritual power. It was with the deep-
est regret that this people were called upon to yield to
the demands of what appeared to be a field of wider oppor-
tunity for pastoral service.
The Reverend Stephen W. Dana, D.D.
The Rev. John Jay Dana, referred to in the foregoing
sketch, and who entered the ministry from this church,
was the son of Stephen W. Dana, an elder from 1830
to 1846.
The Rev. Stephen W. Dana, a son of John Jay Dana,
and a grandson of the elder Stephen W. Dana, was grad-
uated in the class of 1861 at Williams College, ordained
to the ministry by the Presbytery of Philadelphia in 1867,
and was pastor of the Walnut Street Presbyterian Church
[ 57 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
of that city for nearly forty-five years, during which pas-
torate he died, only a few years ago.
Although probably born after the removal of his
father from this church, it is worthy of note that he was
a lineal descendant from an elder, and son of one who
entered the ministry from this church.
Descendants of Charter Members.
So far as known there are now on the membership
roll of this church only two direct descendants of those
who were the original and charter members received in
1827. They are, Mrs. Julius S. Hawley, granddaughter
of Mrs. Susan Drake, wife of Doctor Samuel Drake, re-
ceived from the First Presbyterian Church of Troy, and
Miss Clara Stearns (who for nearly or quite twenty-five
years has been the organist of the church), a grand-
daughter of Mrs. Eliza Stearns, wife of Livy Stearns,
received from the Reformed Dutch Church of Union Vil-
lage, N. Y.
Dr. Theodore Bliss.
Among those once members of this church who have
gone to the foreign field is Doctor Theodore Bliss, son
of Mr. and Mrs. WiUiam Bliss, present members. He was
received into membership of this church on examination
in 1895, prepared for college at the Troy Academy, entered
Cornell University in 1897, where he was duly graduated,
and subsequently graduating at Cornell Medical College
in New York. While a medical student he joined the
''student volunteers" at Northfield, during his attendance
there at a student conference.
An offer of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis-
sions of a place in one of its mission fields was ofTered
[ 68 ]
SECOND PRI'. SBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
him, which, after due consideration, he decHned, and there-
after took up the practice of medicine in Schenectady,
In 1909 he received an emergency call from Saint
Luke's Hospital at Tokyo, Japan, under the auspices of
the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the U. S. A. Not being
then a member of the Episcopal Church he could not
regularly be appointed to the medical staff of that hospital,
but upon his confirmation in 1911, he received such ap-
pointment. Doctor Bliss v^as afterwards transferred to
Saint James's Hospital at Anking, China, where he is now
laboring (1917) in the medical branch of missionary
service. His work is spoken of with the highest com-
mendation by those with whom he is associated, and who
have full knowledge of his labors.
Miss Helen Esther Boughton.
Our latest representative in the foreign missionary
field is Miss Helen Esther Boughton, daughter of Elder
Edward H. Boughton, and granddaughter of the late
Elder Ezra W. Boughton.
Miss Boughton became a baptized member of this
church in 1889, and in 1902 was received into full fellow-
ship upon profession of her faith.
She was educated in the public schools of Troy, grad-
uated from the Troy High School in 1908, took her college
course at Mount Holyoke College, and a secretarial course
at Simmons College in Boston, Mass., followed by a busi-
ness course at the Troy Business College.
Miss Boughton sailed in May, 1917, to become the
financial secretary of the American Presbyterian Mission
at Hwaiyuen, Anhwei, China.
All the mission work at this station is financed by the
[ 59 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
Central Presbyterian Church of New York City, under
the auspices of the Presbyterian Foreign Mission Board.
Miss Boughton is the first and only woman from this
church who has dedicated her life to Christian work in
the foreign field.
Semi-Centennial of the Young People's Christian Union.
If an event may be anticipated in a historical sketch,
it will be noticed by reference to a preceding statement
herein that in 1917 the Young People's Christian Union
will have completed fifty years of its existence. It was
organized in 1867 under the pastorate of Rev. William
Irvin. In October, 1892, it celebrated with considerable
formality and enthusiasm its twenty-fifth birthday under
the name of "A Semi-Jubilee," and welcomed back at that
time to participate in its exercises many of its members
who had removed to other parts of the country. Again
with imposing ceremonies on February 25, 1901, the
"Third-of-a-Century" celebration was observed at which
greetings were brought from most of the other young
people's organizations of the city and vicinity. It is now
proposed to celebrate its semi-centennial in an equally
imposing manner, and already arrangements are under
way for such observance in October, 1917.
Rarely is it permitted to any charter member of an
organization of this character to celebrate its half-hun-
dredth anniversary, and yet there are those now here to
whom this privilege is likely to be given. It is pleasant
to present here the likenesses of all the twenty-eight mem-
bers who have served for one or more terms in the office
of president of the Young People's Christian Union of this
church since its organization.
[ 60 ]
Presidents uf Young People's Christian Union.
SECOND PRKSBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
The Reverend Paul Robinson Hickok.
The Rev. Paul Robinson Hickok, present pastor, was
born in Nebraska in 1877. He was educated at the Col-
lege of Wooster, Ohio, where he was graduated in the
class of 1897. His theological course was taken at Auburn
Seminary, where he graduated with the class of 1900.
He was ordained to the ministry by the Presbytery of
Wooster in August, 1900. For nearly three years, from
1900 to 1902, he was assistant pastor of the Old Stone
(First Presbyterian) Church in Cleveland, Ohio, and in
1902 was called to the First Presbyterian Church of Dela-
ware, Ohio, which church he served until 1909.
In June of that year he became pastor of the Metro-
politan Church of Washington, D. C, from whence he
was unanimously called to this church in December, 1916,
and began his pastorate here in January, 1917. He was
duly installed as pastor on the 19th of February following.
Mr. Hickok was called upon the unanimous recom-
mendation of a committee of twelve representing the dif-
ferent boards of the church and from the congregation
at large ; and in the space of but little more than two
months after their appointment, they were ready to report
their choice, which report was unanimously approved by
the congregation on December 2, 1916, at which date a
call was issued.
Mr. Hickok is a trustee of his Alma Mater, the College
of Wooster, and also a member of the Board of Church
Erection Fund of the Presbyterian Church of U. S. A.,
both of which positions he has held for several years.
[ 61 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y
Trustees and Date of Election Since Organization.
Jeremiah Dauchy
Tesse Patrick
Samuel McCoun
Joseph Russell
Uriah Wallace
John T. McCoun
Jesse Patrick
James Rankin
Orsamus Eaton
Daniel Sackett
Robert D. Silliman
Elias Ross
Orsamus Eaton
Daniel Sackett
Robert D. Silliman
Lorenzo D. Baker
Elias Ross
Daniel Sackett
1827
Stephen Eldridge
William D. Haight
1828
Samuel Gale
1829
Robert D. Silliman
1830
James Rankin
1831
Daniel Sackett
1832
William D. Haight
1833
George Fry
1834
Nathaniel Church
1835
George Fry
Jeremiah S. Hakes
1836
Edward Babcock
1837
John D. Willard
1839
Elias Gates
Edward Babcock
1840
John D. Willard
Uriah Wallace
Robert D. Silliman
John T. McCoun
Robert D. Silliman
Stephen Eldridge
John D. Willard
Elias Ross
Charles H. Kellogg
Jeremiah S. Hakes George Fry
Orsamus Eaton
Jeremiah S. Hakes George Fry
[ 62 ]
Elias Gates
Lorenzo D. Baker
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
Trustees and Date of Election Since Organization — (Continued).
Jared S. Weed
Timothy Mann
John D. Willard
Jeremiah S. Hakes
Timothy Mann
John D. Willard
Jeremiah S. Hakes
Timothy Mann
Ephraim Carpenter
Jeremiah S. Hakes
Timothy Mann
Ephraim Carpenter
Jeremiah S. Hakes
Timothy Mann
Joseph W. Fuller
Jeremiah S. Hakes
Henry E. Weed
1842
Orsamus Eaton
1843
Ephraim Carpenter
1844
George Fry
1845
Orsamus Eaton
1846
Ephraim Carpenter
1847
George Fry
Orsamus Eaton
1849
Jared S. Weed
1850
George Fry
185 1
Jared G. Bacon
1852
Joseph W. Fuller
1853
George Fry
1854
Jared G. Bacon
i8S5
Gurdon B. Wallace
1856
George Fry
1857
Ransom B. Moore
[ 63 ]
Elias Ross
Jared S. Weed
Lorenzo D. Baker
Jared G. Bacon
Jared S. Weed
Lorenzo D. Baker
Jared G. Bacon
Joseph W. Fuller
Lorenzo D. Baker
Henry E. Weed
Hiram House
Peter McDoual
Henry E. Weed
Samuel S. McClure
Peter McDoual
Eleazer A. Peck
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
Trustees and Date of Election Since Organization — (Continued).
1858
Joseph W. Fuller G. B. Wallace
Horace T. Caswell (To fill vacancy)
Jeremiah S. Hakes
i8S9
George Fry
i860
Henry E. Weed Ransom B. Moore
C. Willard (To fill vacancy)
1861
Gurdon B. Wallace Horace T. Caswell
Jeremiah S. Hakes
1862
George Fry
1863
Charles E. Dusenberry George C. Burdett
Hiram House (To fill vacancy)
1864
Gurdon B. Wallace
Lorenzo D. Baker
John H. Coon
(To fill vacancy)
Frederick A. Lape
(To fill vacancy)
Horace T. Caswell
1865
William H. Gallup
Ebenezer R. Collins
(To fill vacancy)
Henry Swartwout
(To fill vacancy)
Samuel S. McClure
Peter McDoual
Eleazer A. Peck
Charles H. Bigelow
Clarence Willard
Harvey Smith
Hiram House
Henry C. Sheldon
Jacob C. Wood
(To fill vacancy)
John H. Coon
Ebenezer R. Collins
1867
Charles E. Dusenberry Jacob C. Wood
Clarence Willard
Ebenezer R. Collins
1868
William H. Gallup
1869
Allen Williams
1870
Charles E. Dusenberry Jacob C. Wood
William J. Howes Harvey Smith
(To fill vacancy) (To fill vacancy)
William Allendorph
1871
William H. Gallup
[ 64 ]
Allen Williams
Frederick A. Lape
Henry C. Sheldon
John H. Coon
Perry E. Toles
Henry S. Ranken
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
Trustees and Date of Election Since Organization— (Continued).
William J. Howes
Perry E. Tolas
1872
Ebenezer R. Collins Allen Williams
1873
Charles E. Dusenberry Jacob C. Wood
1874
Henry S. Ranken William Alleiidorph Charles E. Willett
1875
Ebenezer R. Collins Allen Williams
William J. Howes
John T. Christie
1876
Jacob C. Wood Frederick A. Lape
John C. Wheeler (To fill vacancy)
1877
Charles E. Dusenberry William Allendorph Charles E. Willett
1878
John C. Wheeler
William J. Howes
Jacob C. Wood
William H. Hollister, Jr. Daniel W. Coon
William J. Howes
Jacob C. Wood
1879
John T. Christie
1880
1881
Allen Williams
1882
Robert Cluett
William H. Hollister, Jr. George A. Packer
Allen Williams Charles E. Delano
1885
Robert Cluett Frank Van Deusen
1886
William H. Hollister, Jr. George A. Packer
Allen Williams
William H. Frear
[ 65 ]
Allen Williams
Robert Cluett
George A. Packer
Charles E. Delano
Henry B. Nims
Daniel W. Coon
William H. Frear
Henry B. Nims
Daniel W. Coon
Charles E. Delano
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
Trustees and Date of Election Since Organization— (Continued).
1888
William J. Stevenson Frank Van Deusen Henry B. Nims
Julius S. Hawley (To fill vacancy for 1 yr.)
1889
William H. Hollister, Jr. George A. Packer Julius S. Hawley
H. E. Mitchell Henry G. Peirsons
(To fill vacancy for 2 yrs.) (To fill vacancy for 1 yr.)
1890
Allen Williams Edwin A. Frear James H. Fairweather
1891
Henry B. Nims Frank Van Deusen Melancthon W, Campbell
William P. Allendorph (To fill vacancy for 2 yrs.)
1892
William H. Hollister, Jr. George A. Packer Julius S. Hawley
1893
Edwin A. Frear James H. Fairweather William P. Allendorph
1894
Henry B. Nims Albert E. Bonesteel Frank Van Deusen
1895
William H. Hollister, Jr. George A. Packer Julius S. Hawley
1896
Edwin A. Frear James H. Fairweather William P. Allendorph
John B. Harvie Edgar J. Young
(To fill vacancy for 2 yrs.) (To fill vacancy for 1 yr.)
1897
Frank Van Deusen Edgar J. Young Albert E. Bonesteel
1898
William H. Hollister, Jr. Julius S. Hawley John B. Harvie
1899
Edwin A. Frear William P. Allendorph James H. Fairweather
1900
Frank Van Deusen Edgar J. Young Albert E. Bonesteel
1901
William H. Hollister, Jr. Julius S. Hawley John B. Harvie
[ 66 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
Trustees and Date of Election Since Organization — (Continued).
William H. Hollister, Jr. Julius S. Hawley
1902
William P. Allendorph Edwin A. Frear Joseph McKay
1903
Frank Van Deusen Edgar J. Young Albert E. Bonesteel
1904
William H. Hollister, Jr. Julius S. Hawley John B. Harvie
1905
Edwin A. Frear William P. Allendorph Joseph McKay
1906
Frank Van Deusen Edgar J. Young Albert E. Bonesteel
William B. Frear (To fill vacancy for 2 yrs.)
John B. Harvie
William B. Frear
Thomas R. Lawson
J. Erwin Anthony
William B. Frear
Thomas R. Lawson
Lewis W. Raymond
William P. Allendorph
Thomas R. Lawson
William P. Allendorph
Frank Van Deusen
William H. Hollister, Jr.
William P. Allendorph
Frank Van Deusen
J. Erwin Anthony
William B. Frear
Frank Van Deusen
igog
Joseph McKay
1910
Edgar J. Young
1911
John B. Harvie
1912
Joseph McKay
1913
Edgar J. Young
1914
John B. Harvie
1915
Joseph McKay
1916
Edgar J. Young
[ 67 ]
S1<:C0ND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
Presidents of the Board. I
1855-1857 Jared G. Bacon
1857-1860 Peter McDoual
1860-1861 George Fry j
1861-1863 Ransom B. Moore
1863-1865 Gurdon B. Wallace
1865-1867 Lorenzo D. Baker
1867-1876 Charles E. Dusenberry '
1876-1877 William J. Howes i
1877-1880 Charles E. Dusenberry i
1880-1882 John T. Christie j
1882-1914 William H. Hollister, Jr. ;
1914- Joseph McKay )
\
Church Organization. '
(May, 1917) \
Moderator of Session - - - . _ Paul R. Hickok (1917) i|
Clerk of Session . _ _ . William H. Hollister, Jr. (1899) )
Elders.
Harvey S. McLeod (1884) William H. Hollister, Jr. (1884)
Robert Cluett (1888) Edward H. Boughton (1891) :'
John T. Birge (i90'3) Charles S. Dean (1903)
Lewis W. Raymond (1903) Burton K. Woodward (1903)
William Hagen (1903) William H. Breese, Jr. (1907) '
George B. Ehrmann (1907) Martin H. Walrath (1907)
Deacons. !
Nelson M. Hayner (1891) J. Erwin Anthony (1907)
Herbert C. Betts (1907) Arthur C. Dickinson (1907) ;
Burtis A. Raeder (1907) James H. Fairweather (1907)
Edwin L. Grimes (1909) James A. Beattie (1911)
William Colvin, Jr. (1911) John McBride (1915) ,
Oscar A. Freemeyer (1915) Frederick M. McCoubrey (1915) )
Judson W. J. Rogers (1915) • |
Trustees. '|
Frank Van Deusen (1885) William P. Allendorph (1891) !
Edgar J. Young (1896) John B. Harvie (1896) \
Joseph McKay (1902) William B. Frear (1906) |
Thomas R. Lawson (1910) J. Erwin Anthony (1911) ■
Lewis W. Raymond (1914)
[ 68 ]
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF TROY, N. Y.
President of Board of Deacons ----- Nelson M. Hayner
President of Board of Trustees ----- Joseph McKay
Secretary of Board of Trustees ----- William P. AUendorph
Treasurer of Board of Trustees ----- Lewis W. Raymond
Treasurer of Benevolences ------- Charles S. Dean
Superintendent of Sunday School ----- William Hagen
President of Woman's Missionary Society - - Mrs. John B. Harvie
President of Woman's Church Society - - - Mrs. Charles S. Dean
President of Young People's Christian Union - Carl L. Decker
President of Men's Brotherhood ----- Mortimer J. Barrett
Church Secretary ---------- Miss Anna T. Baker
Choir.
Mrs. Margaret M. Belcher, Soprano Fred C. Comstock, Baritone
Miss Mary I. Chitty, Contralto William F. Sheehan, Tenor
Miss Clara Stearns, Organist.
[ 69 ]
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